Test point adaptor for coaxial cable connections

ABSTRACT

A test point adaptor for coaxial cables includes a main body, a test body, and a cap. The main body has a first longitudinal axis and includes a first end comprising a first interface, a second end comprising a second interface, and a first center conductor extending at least from the first interface to the second interface. The test body has a second longitudinal axis arranged transversely to the main body and includes an outer conductive sleeve, a test body end comprising a third interface, an electrically conductive contact member in electrical contact with the first center conductor, and a gripping arrangement electrically coupled with the electrically conductive contact member. The third interface includes a conical contact surface of the outer conductive sleeve. The cap includes a sleeve configured to matingly engage an outer surface of the outer conductive sleeve. The outer conductive sleeve includes a conical contact surface configured to engage the conical contact surface of the outer conductive sleeve when the cap is matingly engaged with the outer sleeve. The cap includes a terminator configured to be aligned with and received by the gripping arrangement, which electrically couples the terminator to the electrically conductive contact member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/408,355, filed Jan. 17, 2017, pending, which is a nonprovisionalapplication claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/279,613, filed on Jan. 15, 2016. The disclosure of the priorapplications is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Test adaptors or test point adaptors are used in order to test theproperties of communication networks such as cable TV and computernetworks using, for example, coaxial cables. In order to carry out atest, it is necessary to provide access points in which test equipmentmay be connected.

Testing of coaxial cables has become increasingly important due to thefact that increasingly more digital signals are carried in the cable.Disturbance in the signal, i.e. the signal/noise ratio, of digitalsignals is more likely to occur than when only analog signals were use.Thus, ensuring a high quality of the cables including connectors hasbecome increasingly critical. Furthermore, the end user of a connectionis increasingly more dependent on the reliability of their connection(e.g., by using IP-telephony, VPN, and similar products) and does notaccept line dropout, for example, when their connection is being tested.For example, Internet Service Providers demand increased testing of thelines in order to ensure that they will be able to supply their servicewith a desired quality of service and without dropouts.

Typically, when inserting test equipment, the coaxial cable isdisconnected from, for example, an amplifier or similar equipment thatthe coaxial cable is connected to. Various components are assembled toachieve an adaptor having an access point for testing, with the adaptorbeing inserted between the coaxial cable and, for example, an amplifier.In this way, the adaptor provides for testing during use of the cable.One example of such a test point adaptor is described in PCTInternational Publication Number WO 2011/079196, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

In some applications, a test point adaptor may provide an interface foruse with test equipment that requires a sliding connection with a portof the test point adaptor, as opposed to a convention threadedconnection (e.g., an F-type connection), a bayonet connection, or thelike. Similarly, a terminator cap would be slidably connected to thetest point adaptor to short the RF signal to the outer conductor. Someconventional sliding connection can be less reliable than threadedconnections with respect to preventing escape of the RF signal.

It may thus be desirable to provide a test point adaptor that provides asliding connection with improved electrical continuity relative to theRF signal. It may be desirable to provide a sliding connection thatprovides a watertight seal while avoiding possible structural damage tothe connection when slidably mating a terminator cap with the test pointadaptor.

SUMMARY

According to some aspects of the disclosure, a test point adaptor forcoaxial cables includes a main body, a test body, and a cap. The mainbody has a first longitudinal axis and includes a first end comprising afirst interface, a second end comprising a second interface, and a firstcenter conductor extending at least from the first interface to thesecond interface. The test body has a second longitudinal axis arrangedtransversely to the main body and includes an outer conductive sleeve, atest body end comprising a third interface, an electrically conductivecontact member in electrical contact with the first center conductor,and a gripping arrangement electrically coupled with the electricallyconductive contact member. The third interface includes a conicalcontact surface of the outer conductive sleeve. The cap includes asleeve configured to matingly engage an outer surface of the outerconductive sleeve. The outer conductive sleeve includes a conicalcontact surface configured to engage the conical contact surface of theouter conductive sleeve when the cap is matingly engaged with the outersleeve. The cap includes a terminator configured to be aligned with andreceived by the gripping arrangement, which electrically couples theterminator to the electrically conductive contact member.

In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a test pointadaptor for coaxial cables includes a main body, a test body, a cap, anda sealing member. The main body has a first longitudinal axis andincludes a first end comprising a first interface, a second endcomprising a second interface, and a first center conductor extending atleast from the first interface to the second interface. The test bodyhas a second longitudinal axis arranged transversely to the main bodyand includes an outer conductive sleeve, a test body end comprising athird interface, an electrically conductive contact member in electricalcontact with the first center conductor, and a gripping arrangementelectrically coupled with the electrically conductive contact member.The cap includes a sleeve configured to matingly engage an outer surfaceof the outer conductive sleeve. The cap includes a terminator configuredto be aligned with and received by the gripping arrangement, whichelectrically couples the terminator to the electrically conductivecontact member. The cap includes an inner surface having an annulargroove configured to receive the sealing member. The sealing member isconfigured to engage an outer surface of the outer conductive sleevewhen the cap is matingly engaged with the outer surface of the outerconductive sleeve to provide a watertight connection at the thirdinterface. An endmost region of the outer surface of the outerconductive sleeve has an outside diameter that is smaller than a regionof the outer conductive surface that engages the sleeve of the cap. Whenthe cap is coupled with the outer conductive sleeve, the sealing memberis configured to engage the outer surface of the outer conductive sleeveto achieve the watertight connection, while the sleeve of the cap doesnot matingly engage the endmost region of the outer conductive sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is to be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary test point adaptoraccording to various aspects of the disclosure,

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the exemplary test point adaptor ofFIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a second end of the testbody and cap of the exemplary test point adaptor of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cross-section of the second end ofthe test body of the exemplary test point adaptor shown in FIG. 3 withthe cap removed.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative second endof the test body and cap of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another alternative secondend of the test body and cap of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary test point adaptor 1 having a main body2 and a test body 11 coupled with one another. The main body includes afirst end 3 comprising a first interface 4, for example, a swivel memberor swivel nut, and a second end 5 comprising a second interface 6. Afirst center conductor 7 is arranged in the main body 2 extending beyondthe first end 3. The test body 11 has a first test body end 13 connectedwith the main body 2, for example, via a screw connection, and a secondtest body end 14 comprising a third interface 15. In the illustratedembodiment of the test point adaptor 1, the first interface 4 is a malethreaded interface and the second interface 6 is a female threadedinterface. However, it should be appreciated that in some embodiments,both of the first and second interfaces 4, 6 may be female threads, bothmay be male threads, or they may be other kinds of engaging means.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the first center conductor 7 is arranged alonga longitudinal axis 8 of the main body 2. The first center conductor 7is kept substantially in the center of the main body 2 by a firstseizure 9 and a second seizure 10. The test body 11 is coupled with themain body 2 such that a longitudinal axis 12 of the text body 11 issubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 8 of the main body2. It should be appreciated that the test body 11 may be coupled withthe main body 2 in other ways than substantially perpendicular to themain body 2, for example, at an angle such as 15°-90°, such as 25°-80°,such as 35°-70°, or such as 35°-55°.

As mentioned above, the first test body end 13 of the test body 11 maybe threadably coupled with the main body 2. A seizure 16 is mounted atthe first test body end 13. The seizure 16 is provided with an annularprojection 17. A spring 19 is arranged between the annular projection 17of the seizure 16 and an end rim 18 of the first test body end 13. Theseizure 16 is arranged so as to be able to move along the longitudinalaxis 12 of the test body 11. The spring 19, for example, an annularspring washer, biases the seizure 16 along the longitudinal axis 12 ofthe test body 11 in the direction away from the second end 14 of thetest body 11.

A contact member 20 is inserted in a central seizure aperture 21 of theseizure 16. The contact member 20 is provided with a central aperture 22for receiving a first end 24 of a resistor 23 or similar. Havingpositioned the first resistor end 24 in the central aperture 21 of theseizure 16, the central aperture 22 of the contact member 20 is arrangedto receive the first resistor end 24. When the contact member 20 isinserted in the central aperture 21 of the seizure 16, the contactmember 20 clamps around the first resistor end 24. Thus, the firstresistor end 24 is kept in position and the contact member 20 is fixedin the central aperture of the seizure 16. As the contact member 20 iselectrically conductive, the resistor 23 is in electrical contact withobjects being in contact with the contact member 20.

The resistor 23 extends internally in the test body 11 along thelongitudinal axis 12. At the second end 14 of the test body 11, theresistor 23 is kept in position by a gripping arrangement 25. Thegripping arrangement 25 is provided with a central aperture 26. Thecentral aperture 26 of the gripping arrangement 25 is arranged so as toreceive a second end 27 of the resistor 23. The gripping arrangement 25is electrically conductive so as to facilitate that the center pin oftest equipment (not shown) may be inserted into the test body 11 inelectrical contact with the resistor 23.

The second end 14 of the test body 11 is terminated by a removable cap28 comprising a terminator 29, for example, a resistor, between a signaland ground. The terminator 29 is configured to provide electricaltermination of a signal to prevent an RF signal from being reflectedback from the second end 14 of the test body 11, causing interference.The cap 28 is slidably coupled with the third interface 15 of the secondend 14 of the test body 11. Further, in order to achieve watertightconnections, the test point adaptor 1 is provided with sealing members31, 32, 33, for example, O-rings.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the test body 11 includes an outerconductive sleeve 40 having a conical contact surface 41 at the thirdinterface 15. The third interface 15 also includes a nonconductivesleeve 42, for example, a plastic sleeve, concentrically coupled withthe outer conductive sleeve 40 and surrounds the gripping arrangement 25within the test body 11. The nonconductive sleeve 42 is mechanicallycoupled with the outer sleeve 40 such that the sleeves 40, 42 are notaxially slidable relative to one another. The nonconductive sleeve 42includes a tapered opening 43 configured to assist with insertion of alead 30 of the terminator 29 into the central aperture 26 of thegripping arrangement 25. It should be understood that the grippingarrangement 25 may comprise a slotted sleeve, prongs, or any othergripping member that is capable of maintaining a forcible connection soas to ensure electrical continuity between the resistor 23 and eitherthe terminator 29 or test equipment (not shown).

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the cap 28 includes a sleeve 45configured to matingly engage an outer surface 46 of the outerconductive sleeve 40. The sleeve 45 of the cap 28 includes slots 46extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12. As a result ofthe slots 46, the cap sleeve 45 can be manufactured with an insidediameter that is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the outersleeve 40. Thus, when the cap sleeve 45 is slidably coupled with theouter sleeve 40, the cap sleeve 45 is expanded to receive the outersleeve 40, and the cap sleeve 45 provides a biasing force against theouter sleeve 40 to provide electrical continuity between the cap 28 andthe outer conductive sleeve 40.

The cap 28 also includes an annular groove 50 in an inner surface of thecap sleeve 45. The annular groove 50 is configured to receive a sealingmember 51, for example, an O-ring. The sealing member 51 is configuredto engage the outer surface 46 of the outer conductive sleeve 40 whenthe cap 28 is matingly engaged with the outer surface 46 of the outersleeve 40 to ensure a watertight connection at the third interface 15.As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an endmost region 47 of the outer surface 46of the outer sleeve 40 may have an outside diameter that is smaller thana region 48 of the outer surface 46 that engages the cap sleeve 45. As aresult, when the cap 28 is coupled with the outer sleeve 40, the sealingmember 51 may be configured to engage the outer surface 46 to achievethe watertight connection, while the cap sleeve 45 will not matinglyengage the endmost region 47 to avoid possible damage to and/ordeterioration of the connection.

The cap 28 also includes a conical contact surface 49 configured toengage with the conical contact surface 41 of the outer conductivesleeve 40 when the cap 28 is matingly engaged with the outer sleeve 40.The conical contact surfaces 41, 49 provide a longer engagementinterface between the cap 28 and the outer sleeve 40 than conventionalcaps that provide radial (i.e., non-conical) contact surfaces. Thus, theRF signal is less likely to escape at the third interface, despite onlyproviding a sliding connection between the cap 28 and the outer sleeve40 (i.e., instead of a threaded connection). Although FIGS. 3 and 4illustrate the conical contact surface 40 tapering radially inward andthe conical contact surface 49 tapering radially outward, it should beunderstood that in some embodiments, the conical contact surface 40 maytaper radially outward and the conical contact surface 49 may taperradially inward.

The described embodiment of the test body 11 and its components provideelectrical contact between a test instrument (not shown) connected atthe second end 14 of the test body 11, which is in turn electricallyconnected with the contact member 20. The contact member 20 is incontact with the first center conductor 8 arranged in the main body 2.Further details of the seizure 16, the contact member 20, the spring 19,and other features of the test point adaptor 1, as well as mounting ofthe test point adaptor 1 on a component, are described in PCTInternational Publication Number WO 2011/079196, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

Referring to FIG. 5, in some aspects of the test point adaptor 1, theouter cap sleeve 45 may include an annular ridge 55 (or a series ofintermittent ridges arranged annularly). The region 48 of the outersurface 46 of the outer conductive sleeve 40 that engages the cap sleeve45 may include an annular groove 56 that is configured to matinglyreceive the annular ridge 55. The annular ridge 55 and the annulargroove 56 may be positioned on the cap sleeve 45 and outer sleeve 40,respectively, to provide a positive connection force between the capsleeve 45 and the outer sleeve 40. As a result, the conical contactsurfaces 41, 49 are urged against one another with a force when the capsleeve 45 and the outer sleeve 40 are matingly connected to ensureelectrical continuity. The annular ridge 55 and the annular groove 56may provide tactile feedback to a user as to when the cap sleeve 45 andthe outer sleeve 40 are matingly connected and may also help prevent thecap sleeve 45 and the outer sleeve 40 from sliding apart.

Referring now to FIG. 6, in some aspects of the test point adaptor 1,the outer sleeve 40 may include a tapered outer surface. For example,the outer surface 40 may be tapered from point 66 toward a shoulder 67of the outer sleeve 40. That is, the outside diameter of the outersleeve 45 may taper from point 66 to shoulder 67. As discussed above,the cap sleeve 45 can be manufactured with an inside diameter that isslightly smaller than the outside diameter of the outer sleeve 40. Forexample the cap sleeve may have an inside diameter that is slightlysmaller than the outside diameter of the outer sleeve 40 at a pointalong the outer sleeve 40 that is between point 66 and shoulder 67.Thus, when the cap sleeve 45 is slidably coupled with the outer sleeve40, the cap sleeve 45 is expanded to receive the outer sleeve 40, andthe cap sleeve 45 provides a biasing force against the tapered region ofthe outer sleeve 40 to provide electrical continuity between the cap 28and the outer conductive sleeve 40. As a result, the conical contactsurfaces 41, 49 are urged against one another with a force when the capsleeve 45 and the outer sleeve 40 are matingly connected to ensureelectrical continuity. The tapered region of the outer sleeve 40 maycooperated with the cap sleeve 45 to help prevent the cap sleeve 45 andthe outer sleeve 40 from sliding apart.

Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments describedabove, where one or more of its components, functionalities orstructures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or moreof the components, functionalities or structures of a differentembodiment described above.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to theembodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishingits intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes andmodifications be covered by the appended claims.

Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed inthe foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in theart that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure willcome to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of theteaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings.It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specificembodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein,as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a genericand descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the presentdisclosure, nor the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A test point adaptor for coaxial cables,comprising: a main body having a first longitudinal axis, said main bodyincluding: a first end comprising a first interface, a second endcomprising a second interface, and a first center conductor extending atleast from the first interface to the second interface; a test bodyhaving a second longitudinal axis arranged transversely to the mainbody, said test body including: an outer conductive sleeve, a test bodyend comprising a third interface, the third interface including aconical contact surface of the outer conductive sleeve, an electricallyconductive contact member in electrical contact with the first centerconductor, and a gripping arrangement electrically coupled with theelectrically conductive contact member; and a cap including a sleeveconfigured to matingly engage an outer surface of the outer conductivesleeve, the cap including a conical contact surface configured to engagethe conical contact surface of the outer conductive sleeve when the capis matingly engaged with the outer sleeve, and a terminator configuredto be aligned with and received by the gripping arrangement, whichelectrically couples the terminator to the electrically conductivecontact member.
 2. The test point adaptor of claim 1, wherein the thirdinterface includes a conical contact surface of the outer conductivesleeve, the cap including a conical contact surface configured to engagethe conical contact surface of the outer conductive sleeve when the capis matingly engaged with the outer conductive sleeve.
 3. The test pointadaptor of claim 2, wherein the third interface further includes anonconductive sleeve concentrically coupled with the outer conductivesleeve and surrounding the gripping arrangement within the test body. 4.The test point adaptor of claim 3, wherein the nonconductive sleeveincludes a tapered opening configured to assist with insertion of aportion of the terminator into a central aperture of the grippingarrangement.
 5. The test point adaptor of claim 1, wherein the sleeve ofthe cap includes slots extending in the direction of the secondlongitudinal axis.
 6. The test point adaptor of claim 5, wherein thesleeve of the cap is configured to provide a biasing force against theouter conductive sleeve to provide electrical grounding between the capand the outer conductive sleeve.